26th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk

MINSK, 7 July (BelTA) – Belarus calls on the OSCE member states to restore trust in the region through a mutually respectful dialogue, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Boleslav Pirshtuk said during the meeting of the OSCE PA General Committee on Political Affairs and Security held as part of the OSCE PA session in Minsk on 7 July, BelTA has learned.

The OSCE PA summer session that is underway in Minsk from 5 to 9 July is focused on ways to enhance mutual trust and cooperation for peace and prosperity in the region. “It is impossible to restore trust without a mutually respectful dialogue. Engaging all the 57 member states in this dialogue is of crucial importance. Otherwise, we run the risk of a throwback to the previous negotiation formats that bear signs of a bloc approach,” Boleslav Pirshtuk noted. He cited OSCE’s activities to counter transnational threats as an example of effective joint efforts.

The Belarusian MP emphasized that instead of intensification of trust and dialogue, the OSCE region is witnessing an increase in the number of dividing lines and military build-up, which inevitably leads to an escalation of tensions. “We have not done away with the Cold War syndrome and have not yet managed to completely abandon bloc thinking. The international relations are still dominated by the rule of force and logic of sanctions. This is degrading the European security architecture that was so hard to build,” Boleslav Pirshtuk emphasized.

The speaker believes that to improve the situation, it is necessary to deescalate tensions, prevent the arms race from further spiraling, and work to enhance mutual trust in military affairs.

Boleslav Pirshtuk said that Belarus welcomes the decision to set up the new OSCE PA ad hoc committee on anti-terrorism. He called on the OSCE PA session participants to support the Russia-authored resolution on combating terrorism.

The Belarusian side suggested amendments to the resolution that was considered at the meeting of the OSCE PA General Committee on Political Affairs and Security. The amendments were related to the development of a structured dialogue on the current and future challenges in the OSCE region. The amendments were approved.

The agenda of the session comprises reports of three general committees: on political affairs and security; on economic affairs, science, technology, and environment; on democracy, human rights, and humanitarian affairs. Resolutions to be adopted as a result of the discussions will become the foundation of the Minsk declaration, which will formulate recommendations for national governments, parliaments, and the international community on responding to pressing challenges and threats.